Classic cocktails twisted with tequila

Our friends at Patrón Tequila gave us something of a challenge, “What classic cocktails work well with tequila instead of their original base spirit? “There will be loads”, I confidently said, thinking that the Margarita is arguably a Sidecar with tequila and remembering that a Cosmopolitan made with tequila is a Rude Cosmo. Hence I set about finding “rude” versions of the following classics:

1. Aviation

With tequila = Arte de VolarTequila replaces gin in this riff on an Aviation - 'Arte de Volar' is Spanish for 'Art of Flying. As with the original gin based classic, notes of maraschino and violet subtly influence with lemon juice freshening and adding balance.

2. Bloody Mary

With tequila = Bloody MariaTequila adds its own personality to the classic Bloody Mary.

Also with tequila = VampiroSomething of a supercharged Bloody Maria with a hint of sweet grenadine.

3. Blood & Sand

With tequila = Gringo's Blood & SandA Blood & Sand made with tequila. A classic Scotch whisky based Blood & Sand is made with equal parts of all four ingredients, but the cherry brandy, vermouth and orange seem to overwhelm tequila when used in place of Scotch, hence the much higher proportion of spirit in this riff.

With mezcal = Velasco & SandMezcal adds a faintly smoky note to this riff on the classic Blood & Sand. The proportion of spirit and orange juice is slightly raised from the usual equal parts formula - the extra nip of mezcal adds an uplifting kick to the drink while more orange adds zippy freshness and lightens what can otherwise be a heavy cocktail.

4. Brandy Alexander

With tequila = Tequila AlexanderCreamy tequila and chocolate this tequila based riff on the classic Brandy Alexander is deliciously indulgent.

5. Cosmopolitan

With tequila = Rude CosmopolitanDon't let the pink appearance of this Cosmopolitan (made with tequila in place of vodka) fool you into thinking it's a fluffy cocktail. It's both serious and superb.

Also with tequila = Rude Ginger CosmopolitanTo quote Halo's cocktail list, the bar where we discovered this drink, "Looks like a cosmo, goes like a Mexican!"

6. Corpse Reviver

With tequila = Cadáver ReviverThe combination of tequila and triple sec make this riff on the classic Corpse Reviver remarkably Margarita-like, only with added complexity and subtlety due to the aromatised wine and faintest hint of absinthe.

7. Harvey Wallbanger

With tequila = Freddy FudpuckerA Harvey Wallbanger made with tequila in place of vodka. Squeeze quality oranges just before making and you'll be amazed just how good this cocktail is.

8. Espresso Martini

9. French Martini

With tequila = Mexican MartiniTequila replaces vodka in this riff on the French Martini. Considering tequila is replacing vodka you'd think blanco tequila would work best, but after trying this and reposado we found añejo tequila works best with the tropical and berry fruits.

10. Gimlet

With tequila = GibletTequila and lime are divine, and this riff on the usually gin-based original Gimlet is as good, although very different with the earthiness of the tequila adding an extra dimension which more than compensates for the lack of gin's botanical complexity.

11. Last Word

With tequila = Last PalabraTequila replaces gin in this riff on the classic Last Word with the amount of maraschino slightly reduced to accommodate the introduction of lavender syrup, which in turn is also balanced by a dash of lavender bitters.

Also with tequila = The Bird Is The WordTo quote Fraser Campbell, the drinks creator, "influenced primarily by "The Last Word" with hints of "Yellow Parrot" ...and a tequila base."

12. Manhattan

With tequila = Mexican in ManhattanI tried making my usual Sweet Manhattan but with añejo tequila as the base spirit and it was not half bad, but there's something about tequila that says 'white' rather than 'red' vermouth. I also started with my favourite addition to a Sweet Manhattan: a half spoon of syrup from the maraschino cherry jar, but añejo tequila is so much more suited to maraschino liqueur. So I switched sweet vermouth for bianco vermouth and Angostura Bitters for lavender bitters. (I love the combination of tequila and lavender.)

Also with tequila = Mexican ManhattanYou've tried this with bourbon, now surprise yourself with an aged tequila.

14. French 75

15. G&T

16. Mint Julep

With tequila = Jalisco Mint JulepGiven the use of tequila I initially opted for agave syrup over sugar syrup but I found the caramel notes that this added somewhat overwhelmed the mint. Instead, perhaps consider using demerara sugar in place of white cane syrup or a mix of the two.

19. Old-fashioned

With tequila = Oaxaca Old-fashionedAn agave based old-fashioned with a wonderful hit of smokiness from the mezcal.

Also with tequila = Estilo ViejoThe name of this drink literally translates from Spanish as 'Old Style'. It is basically a Tequila Old-fashioned.

Also with tequila = Almond Old-FashionedOne to please fans of both tequila and the Old Fashioned drinks genre with amaretto adding the headline hint of almond.

20. Moscow Mule

With tequila = Mexican MuleAs the name suggests, this is a tequila based version of the Moscow Mule - simple as that. And very tasty.

Also with tequila = El BurroGinger spice and tequila soured with lime.

21. Pegu Club

With tequila = Tequila ClubThe similarity of ingredients in this tequila based riff on the classic Pegu Club to the Margarita are obvious, so it's not surprising the finished drink is reminiscent of a Margarita, only lighter with the lime notes a lot subtler. As well as the tequila, orange curacao shines in this drink.

22. Porn Star Martini

23. Sex on the Beach

With tequila = Playa Del MarA fruity complex taste with a hint of tequila. The name translates as a 'Beach of the Sea'.

24. Vieux Carré

With tequila = Plaza AntiguaThe sweet herbal punch you'll recognise from the classic Vieux Carré but somehow given extra life and fresh vitality by the addition of a shot of tequila. I halved the amount of cognac and bourbon usually used in a Vieux Carré to make way for the shot of tequila. I also tried using añejo tequila as the only base spirit, but while this drink was good it was straying too far away from what's recognisable as a Vieux Carré and my intention was to riff this drink rather than create something so different. ('Plaza Antigua' is Spanish for 'Old Square', while 'Vieux Carré' is in turn French for 'Old Square'.)

25. White Lady

With tequila = Dama BlancaThis tequila (in place of gin) based riff on a White Lady is basically a Margarita made with lemon rather than lime, softened and smoothed by egg white. This is a delightful drink. Go easy spraying the zest as this can overly dominate the drink. This drink works best with a light agave syrup as the darker versions affect its virgin-like hue and can add unwanted caramel notes. (Dama Blanca is Spanish for 'White Lady'.)